Aside from the speed bias that dominated much of the racing at Aqueduct last week, especially when the track was wet, one of the most important handicapping factors was a good recent race over the Big A’s inner dirt track.

A random check of three days of racing, last Thursday, Friday and Sunday, reveals that of the 54 horses to finish 1-2 on those cards, 42 made their previous start over the IDT, and 26 of those – nearly half – had a “quality” start; that is, they won or finished in the top four last out, and it didn’t matter if they were stepping up in class or changing distance.

Some examples:

Hillary’s Fantasy battled for the lead from post 11 on Dec. 28 and held on for fourth. Thursday, from post 4, she won easily paying $6.80. Ring Girl, third over the IDT on Dec. 15, completed the $27.20 exacta.

Holmdel, after setting the pace Dec. 28 and fading to third, came from off the pace Thursday to pay $11.40. Baseball, a winner here Dec. 21, rallied to cap a $44.60 exacta.

Lorenzo Lezcano, the hot bug boy of the meet, and Javier Castellano, who is getting good mounts in every race, should continue their hot hands, with Shaun Bridgmohan not far behind. Mike Luzzi and Chuckie Lopez also are riding in solid form.